Kate is a writer who lives in the River North neighborhood of Chicago. She loves cooking, hosting dinner parties, wine tasting, yoga, and reading. She is a self-proclaimed "dinie" as opposed to a "foodie," as her favorite eating experiences let you "slow down and savor the meal" but also appreciate the time you're sharing with the people around you. Kate enjoys Check, Please! because the show always inspires her to walk out her door and go exploring for new places and awesome food.
Yes, I might have been a little
bit snobby when I moved home to Chicago after six years in New York City. New York makes you prove that
you’re cool enough, hot enough, smart enough, experienced enough, rich enough – before you can say
you belong, before you can call that place home. And the food scene is a playground where New Yorkers
show off just how enough they are – just how accomplished and just how at home they have all become
in a city that can chew you up and spit you out, pretentiously.
Ironically, in the process of
trying to make that city my home, I forgot what home really feels like for me. I love New York City, but Chicago
is my home. I only needed two friends and one meal at Home Bistro to remember completely.
My husband and I walked up to the
storefront BYOB on Halsted just a few minutes early and three weeks after the big move. Of
course we let our friends choose this spot; admittedly I didn't have a clue about the new Chicago scene. And
there they were - already comfortably seated in the front window table, their waves through the
glass clearly broadcasting a “Welcome home! Welcome home! Welcome home!” We were greeted by a
beaming host who truly seemed to be happy to have us and seat us and welcome us to his bistro. There
is a fixed price menu offered on Wednesday he explained; three courses to choose. No hurry, no worries.
We pulled the first bottle of
wine out and the host was back to open it. I began to glance over the menu, an already hungry stomach
defenselessly seduced by the aromas from the kitchen a mere 50 yards away. Sweetbreads, escargot,
sardines, pheasant, rabbit, lamb. I kept looking. Bison, catfish, clams, pate. Suddenly I was less eager.
These were not my staples, not even my delicacies. I needed a little help and some more wine to start.
With a confident humor and lots
of passionate opinions, Tom, our waiter, took one glance at my scrunched up face and pulled up a
chair to chat. So we poured him a glass of wine and he took us through the menu. I rarely let
anyone order for me, not even my husband, but for some reason Tom seemed to know best. I happily
agreed to his suggestions; each of us choosing different dishes to sample. “All smart and all
delicious,” Tom promised with a wink.
And he was right. Every course,
every dish, each bite.
We stayed for more than two hours
- sharing stories, making plans, laughing and laughing. We polished off our plates, savored the
remaining sips of our last bottle of wine and promised we would do this again soon - very soon.
I sat back in my chair, took a
big comfortable breath and felt like I was home. I wanted to hug the cook a big thank you. It was so good to
be home.
Home Bistro
3404 N. Halsted St.
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 661-0299
